Playworld Middle East to showcase wide variety of outdoor games and toys

Euromonitor International, official knowledge partner for Playworld Middle East, estimates that the Middle East and Africa market for outdoor and sports toys, was worth as much as $242.6m in 2011, a 13% increase since 2009, indicating that there is much life in the sector.

Outdoor games and sports toys are an important segment in the up-coming Playworld Middle East 2013.

A specialised trade event for toys, games and children's lifestyle products, Playworld Middle East is expected to feature a range of outdoor toys and games from leading international manufacturers.

"Playing outdoors is vital for the overall health and development of growing children," said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Playworld Middle East organiser, Epoc Messe Frankfurt.

"The proliferation of electronic gaming options has made it easy for children to spend endless hours indoors and miss out on the benefits of outdoor play. Continuing innovation on the part of toy manufacturers to come up with attractive outdoor toys and games as well as motivation from parents and guardians will ensure that children are not strangers to the great outdoors," he added.

Biking is ever popular among children the world over and manufacturers of children's bicycles and tricycles are expected to attract considerable interest at the upcoming exhibition. Among those exhibiting such products include new entrant to the market, UAE based company, The Little Mustard Seed sole distributor of the popular First Bike range of children's bicycles and tricycles.

"FirstBIKE is now entering the market in the Middle East and India," said Chad Little of The Little Mustard Seed. "Playworld Middle East provides us an ideal launching pad to access trade buyers from around the region in order to familiarise them with FirstBIKE, which collected 12 prestigious awards for quality and safety in 2012 alone. FirstBIKE allows kids from 22 months to 5 years old to learn how to ride a bike without ever needing training wheels," he added.

Light Blue Toys is a leading distributor of toys and games across the MENA region. At Playworld Middle East they will be exhibiting their award-winning Plasma Car range of ride-on toys as well as their OgoSport flying disks that can catch and throw balls.

"By exhibiting in previous years at Playworld Middle East we have found our outdoor toys to be well received throughout the region. We are looking forward to launching new products soon and to be collecting fresh business leads at the 2013 fair," said Vicky Lynagh, Regional Director of Light Blue Toys.

Playworld Middle East, will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from March 5th to 7th, 2013 and will feature exhibitors involved in the manufacturing, development, supply and servicing of children's lifestyle products from around the world. The event is a traditional networking platform for trade visitors not only from the Middle East region, but also from the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia and North and East Africa.

The Playworld Middle East product profile includes Toys and Games; Baby, Infant and Pre-school products; Bicycles and Sports Equipment; Models and Electronics; and Dolls and Children's Lifestyle products. It is co-located with Paperworld Middle East, the region's trade event for office and stationery supplies and GESS, the trade fair for educational supplies and solutions. These co-locations allow for visitors and exhibitors to benefit from shared synergies.